Need 1/32" Nickle silver rod...ideas?

happycat

happycat

Joined
Jun 21, 1999
Messages
752
Hi. I'm wanting to make some 1/8" mosaic pins. The ones I've seen have 1/32" NS or brass or copper pins inside them. Anybody know where I can get pin stock this thin? The knife supply places I've checked out seem to stop at 1/16" stock. Been bouncing around the web tonight till my eyes hurt and no luck.:grumpy:
Anybody out there have any sources they might like to share?

Thanks,
Ed
 
Brass stock you should be able to get from K&S... they make/sell most of the pin and tube material used. NS I'm not so sure about, you may be able to make or buy a "draw plate" where a series of smaller holes are used to make the wire the size you want. You just pull the wire through then the next smaller hole, then the next one.
 
I have gotten brass 1/32 rod at the k&s engineering displays at Hobby Lobby , or you can order dircetly from them. Just google k&s enginnering and you should come up with their site. I have never seen nickle silver that size, but you can get stainless that size, and it will give the same effect.
 
MicroMark sells 1/32 brass.
Rio Grande jewelry supply sells copper and 18% nickel silver (as "nickel alloy"). There is a problem, though. It is sold in a variety of sizes dead soft as "1 lb coils". You would have to get a size or two larger and draw it down with the draw plate Will mentioned to work harden and straighten.
 
20 guage NS wire is about 7 ten thousandths of an inch larger than the 1/32 inch your looking for. I'm typing this on my Blackberry so I am at a loss for a link but I'm betting that you could google it pretty easy if you use the term "wire" in place of rod or pin stock. It probably comes in varying degrees of softness and you'd probably want it as hard as you can get it to ease the job of filling your tubing.

Hope this helps.

Rick
 
You could also use monel wire, similar color and easily available in a number of wire sizes. I think you may have to buy a 1/4 lb coil, but it would be cheaper than the 1 lb.
Thanks,
Del
 
Try Ace Hardware or True Value hardware....they both keep small size pin stock in inventory. I've found small pinstock at those two on a regulare basis.
 
Jeff Diotte of "Downie Knife Supply" in Windsor Ontario had a bunch at a knife show on the weekend. His phone # is 1-519-978-9387
 
I've unwound an electric bass guitar string for nickle wire before... time consuming but you get ALOT of nickle wire.

Jason
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still looking. I'll post a link if I find any good sources.
Ed
 
Ed, how about high temp silver brazing rod? I saw some .031 at Welding Depot. Try your local welding supply....
 
Santa Fe Jewelers has nickel silver rod in all sizes. Try the link I posted above.
 
Thanks Bill. I just ordered from them. The first time I looked at their site, I missed it. I just ordered a bunch. Ought to last me about the rest of my life.
Thanks again,
Ed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top